All photos taken on June 27, 2022.
Weekly walk time and I felt like it was time to wander Prospector’s Point, Devonian and River View Trails to see what they looked like all dressed for summer. We planned to only walk down and back up one set of 208 stairs, so hiking poles were required for Patty. Bug jackets have become a staple now that the mosquitoes are out and about (oot and aboot in Canadian speak). We were a bit worried as the day was supposed to be warm, but it was not as bad as we thought it would be.
That Will Leave a Mark ©
Down by the river
surrounded by wildflowers
and cottonwood fluff.
Even with a bug jacket,
mosquitoes still leave a mark.
Shot from the parking lot, showing the river bank now covered in green leaves
This is the start/end of the 7.2 km Devonian Trail
Picnic tables by the bridge – a noisy place for lunch now that the bridge is undergoing rehab
We were worried there would be no flowers along this path, but, if anything, there were more than in Bunchberry/Tucker’s. The Alberta wild roses were everywhere (separate post) and there were other wildflowers/weeds here that we had never seen before, like the vetch below
Yellow birdfoot trefoil
flower lined trail up to the Imrie Property
Glancing back to Highway 60
sun dappled trail
Bridge view from the Imrie Property
some highlight shots, so to speak
a Darkling Beetle goes about it’s business
my Beloved walking companion
one more look back
at the junction of the Devonian and River View Trails – note the birdfoot trefoil flower border
White cockle
208 stairs down
a real bunch of Fun-gis
White Admiral Butterfly
The last time we were here, only one deadfall tree blocked the path – there were many more on this trip, due to recent high winds
Cottonwood fluff littered paths and trees along our route
Allan goes over an obstacle in his path
Great Spangled Fritallary Butterflies
Poplar fluff lines the path – no smoking please
Down by the North Saskatchewan River – stop 1
some grasses are already going to seed
Alberta wild rose and vetch provide a beautiful wildflower landscape
deer footprints in the mud by the river
sloppy spider web
seed fluffs catch everywhere
sweet clover flower
the long path
Patty is in this shot for scale – this grass is over 5 feet high (152 cm)
yellow sweet clover
wild hydrangeas or perhaps some tame ones that got loose?
Another downed tree
cottonwood seed fluff with my toe for scale
208 steps up at East end – not doing that!
snowy fleabane
new leaves coming out
Down by the North Saskatchewan River – stop 2
ripples and rocks
disappearing Patty
Log jam
back at the West stairs
walking back through the Imrie property
Golden mushrooms
Its all downhill from here – back to the car
It turns out that mosquitoes can still bit through a bug jacket, if you wear a sleeveless top – the mark referred to in my title
PHOTO DROP 
Glad you enjoyed your walk and were well prepared for the influx of mosquitoes. If it’s any consolation they are also rampant in Finnish Lapland at this time of year.
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These little biters are fierce in every northern alpine, boreal and tundra climate. Once the spring melt and rains hit, the eggs hatch. We just came through a bit more wet weather, so in a week or so, more biters will be out and about. Once the first cool nights hit, that will end them. That is why we love fall. Thanks for reading Marion. Have a great Saturday. Allan
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Mosquitoes are a real nuisance in Italy too🦟🦟🦟
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Some of the worst bites I got was in my hotel room in Nice. Apparently they were coming from a wet basement in the building next door. The place had no A/C and I woke up the next morning looking like I had chicken pox. Thanks for reading Luisa. Happy Saturday. Allan
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What a horrible experience!
A nice weekend to you, too 🌺🦋🌺
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It was only mosquito bites. But the risk of mosquito borne diseases is coming on as summer progresses. Still a great walk. Thanks for reading Luisa. Allan
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In Europe lately there are also cases of West Nile Disease, which was previously unknown here
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Typically, there are a few West Nile cases in Alberta, starting in August. I will have to watch out. WND seems more prevalent in Eastern Canada, for some reason. Thanks for reading Luisa. Allan
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Thanks a lot for your kind reply!
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🦟🦟🤗
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From the very small annoyances to the big ones … I’m wondering about bears. Beautiful country for a hike.
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Bears have been seen in this part of the river valley, but more commonly one sees deer, moose and coyote. Have not seen them there yet. We carry bear spray with us whenever we hike in the forest. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Good idea about the bear spray. I never go into the “bush” without it.
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When we were hiking on Vancouver Island, we had 3 cans with us between the 4 of us. Not only bears to worry about there, but also cougars. Never had to use it and hope to never have to. Cheers.
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Definitely be careful of the cougars. I know of a jogger who thought he’d be safe even after friends warned him about cougars in the area. Sure enough, he triggered the chase instinct when he jogged past a cougar he hadn’t noticed hiding at the side of the logging road. He got scratched up a bit.
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That’s a beautiful walk, Allan. Thanks for sharing it. Mosquitoes biting through the bug shirt – yikes. Do you know about the “no fly zone” bug clothing from Mark’s? I have some and it works well (the repellent is derived from chrysanthemums and is organic). Here’s the link.
https://www.marks.com/en/shop/tick-mosquito-repellent-clothing.html
Cheers.
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It was good to see it in summer. Always nice to be by the river. The mosquitoes can poke their beak slightly through the net, when it stretches tight over bare arms (I got some bites on an elbow, as I always carry my camera at the ready). Will give your link a look, but Patty can not have organics with salicylates touch her skin. Thanks for reading and enjoy your Saturday. Allan
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I love the action shots of you hopping over the fallen tree. Those pesky mosquitoes are persistent.
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Hop may be a bit generous. Clambering may be a bit more accurate. There were a lot of downed trees on the trail The skeeter spend their time waiting for victims and then we come along. Still bad here, but bearable with a bug suit. Thanks for reading Linda. Allan
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Ugh. mosquitos! Looks like quite an amazing walk though!
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Summer would be great, if it weren’t for the heat and mosquitoes. Thanks for reading Angie. Allan
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